Last weekend the tutors at Study Hut Redondo found some time to get out and explore Downtown Los Angeles. On Saturday, our group of tutoring veterans piled in to the infamous ‘Study Hut Van’ and headed to Union Station to begin our Urban Scavenger Hunt. After parking, we split in to two teams (girls vs. boys) and loaded the clues and rules, provided by Urban Adventure Quest, on our smart phones and then the race began.
The first clue had us scrambling up and down Olvera Street- A popular fieldtrip destination for high school Spanish Students- in search of a sundial and a statue of King Carlos III of Spain. To solve the next riddle we had to run back to Union Station and play a game of ‘Spot the Difference’ in Richard Wyatt’s City of Dreams mural. At this point the girls’ team took a lead, but some lucky timing catching the train to the next spot closed the gap.
We relaxed on the train, but as soon the doors opened it was an all-out sprint to find the Bradbury Building, the oldest commercial building in the downtown area. From the outside, the Bradbury Building is rather modest and undistinguishable; however the interior reveals a spectacular Victorian Court with a glass ceiling and marble floors. After taking in the view, we used the art and statues to solve the next riddle. Our next clue took us through Grand Central Market and up the Angels Flight, the world’s shortest passenger railway. After climbing to the top of the hill our path took us through some of the many scenic courtyards in the downtown area, complete with reflecting pools and fountains, to the MOCA and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
At this point the two teams were still neck and neck, so we raced off to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. We solved a few riddles about animal statues found on the cathedral grounds and sprinted to the finish line at City Hall. Thanks to some swift sprinting and correct answer choices, the boys’ team was able to pull out the win. After, we went to Philippe’s to celebrate with some original French Dip Sandwiches. It was an awesome escape from our daily routine to explore an area that I never thought could be so beautiful and entertaining.
It’s time for students to put their phones down and disconnect. (And to be clear- this includes tablets, phablets, iPads, smartwatches, Chromebooks, netbooks, web-enabled eyeglasses, and all the rest of the gadgets.) In an era where education and study habits have been transformed by some pretty remarkable online tools and toys, there are still good reasons to disconnect.
For instance, in study after study, researchers have determined that multitasking simply doesn’t work. Multitasking is an especially terrible practice when you need to focus and study. Think about it, it is pretty difficult to think through your essay on Beowulf if you are constantly interrupted with urgent texts, snapchats, tweets, and instagrams all clamoring for your attention. A recent study [1] on college students’ study habits revealed that 10 hours or so of smartphone use reduced their empathy skills or the ability to put oneself in other peoples’ shoes. They became so self-absorbed with their multitasking and devices that they were not able to meaningfully understand and connect with their friends. It seems like multitasking with distracting technology is not only is a bad way to study, but if you are not careful it can also make you a jerk.
So what should we do, abandon our phones altogether when studying? It has been estimated that 75% of Americans are within 5 feet of their smartphones every moment of everyday [2]. There is simply no escape and the phones and their distractions are here to stay. What we need is a way to use these tools responsibly and in way that helps rather than hurts learning. A modern student must be proficient with these tools but we need to strike a balance.
Food for thought: some of the best learning happens when you have the opportunity to thoughtfully reflect on what you’ve studied…just for a minute, put the phone away and go for a walk
We interviewed multiple students in our office today and here are the top 10 reasons why our students love coming to the Study Hut!
1. I love coming to the Study Hut because the tutors are all really easy to talk to which makes it easy to ask questions when you’re confused. – Charlotte
2. I love coming to the Study Hut because the tutors help to keep me organized and help me prepare for upcoming things in school. – Nikki
3. I love coming to the Study Hut because it has a laid back but very productive atmosphere where I feel comfortable. – Pratt
4. I love coming to the Study Hut because I’ve been coming here for years and the people who work here are like family to me. – Isabelle
5. I love coming to the Study Hut because I have many friends here and my subjects become more clear after my sessions are over. – Josie
6. I love coming to the Study Hut because it has helped me to improve my grades. – Isabella
7. I love coming to the Study Hut because it has great snacks and healthy foods like Apples and Bananas that I can have during my tutoring sessions. – Alex
8. I love coming to the Study Hut because the tutors make learning fun and easy to understand. – Ben
9. I love coming to the Study Hut because they have locations in the area which makes it convenient since I can choose which location I want to go to depending upon where I live. – Nicole
10. I love coming to the Study Hut because they help me not only with regular tutoring but they also help me with my SAT training. – Alex
Kids today have it rough. With all the competition to get into top ranked schools, parents are starting earlier and earlier to give their little academics a head start. But when does a parent’s involvement in their kids school work become a hindrance? Like most things, it’s all about a balance.
Studies show that children with parents who stay actively involved with their schoolwork will test better than kids with parents who don’t. So stay involved! Ask questions, congratulate success and encourage asking for help in more difficult subjects. Parents should know when their kids have a test and except to see the grade for it. This holds their student accountable for their grades. When parents do get back their kids work, reward their efforts. This doesn’t mean taking your daughter to buy a new IPod every time she brings home her Friday spelling test. But it does deserve a high five or a hug. (And remember parents, B grades are still fridge worthy!) Parents should be concerned with lower grades. When problem areas in their kid’s classes arise, steps should be taken to find extra help for their students. Begin with asking to see homework and review all problems that they have trouble with. If problems continue, check in with the teacher and see what else you can do to make sure your child keeps up with work.
When involvement becomes a hindrance rather than helpful is when parents begin to micromanage. Parents must remember that students should be expected to do their homework—and not because Mom stands over their shoulder until it’s done. Establish a set routine and stick to it. Your little study monkey should know that every day like clockwork, when he/she comes home, they makes a snack and start on homework. If your student is having trouble in school, run through their completed homework for mistakes, then help them with the questions they had trouble with. If your student normally tests well in school, ask if they completed their homework each night and trust that they have fulfilled each assignment completely. This allows your student to see that they need to be responsible for their own work and that you except them to be in charge. If they begin to slack on tests, start reviewing their homework again. Students need to learn how to be accountable for their studies. Writing down assignments, organizing papers and planning when to study are lifelong skills that they will need as a student as well as a professional.
Attention! Study Hut Tutoring is now offering local one on one tutoring to High School, Middle School, and Elementary School Students in Newport Beach. We offer subject tutoring, test prep (SAT) (ACT) and College Admissions Packages.
We are open Monday through Thursday from 3:30pm to 8:30pm and Sunday by appointment only.
Our tutors are fresh out of college and we connect well with the kids. From your stressed out AP athlete, to your unenthused 5th grader, our staff tailors each hour of tutoring to meet your needs. We are enthusiastic and passionate about tutoring– this culture sets us apart. Come check out the cool vibe at the Hut!
There are a few essentials a child needs in order to perform well in school. Not only do they have to have their homework done, their flashcards made, and their clothes in order, but they, first and foremost, need to have the basics taken care of. This is also known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Here are just a few examples of essentials your child needs in order to ensure your child is performing at his or her fullest potential!
Make sure your child is getting a minimum of 8 hours of sleep!! This is so important so that they do not fall asleep in school and at tutoring! They need sleep to stay energized, alert, perform better on tests and quizzes, and focus. Tutors and teachers can tell when our students have not been getting enough sleep by their energy levels and in their body language. It’s crucial to repair the body and store information in order to process it throughout the day! Getting enough zzs will ensure your child will reinforce what they have learned throughout the day. Their smaller bodies just need some rest! Make sure the tv or video games get turned off!
Make sure your child is eating breakfast! This is the most important meal of the day and sets up the entire day! They need some protein in the morning (eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc) and complex carbs (fruit, veggies, whole grains) to power their brains and bodies, keep them full and fueled, maintain blood sugar levels, and so much more. Some cereals are just pure sugar and will not fuel them properly. Their blood sugar levels will spike and then 45 min later lead to a crash and burn without proper nutrients! In order to have your child stay focused and energized through out the day, please help them get a proper breakfast in.
Snacks! Make sure your kid is getting snacks throughout the day, especially if they are active in sports and other activities. And not fruit roll-ups and processed foods. Try and get them eating more fruits and veggies with protein to keep the brain and bodies fueled and full- ready to study at school and at Study Hut!
Water! Ensure your child is getting in 8 glasses of water a day. Developing this habit early is important and will help them in the long run. They need water, just like every body, to stay hydrated (especially on hot days, have them drink more!), run metabolic processes going on in their bodies and keep all their cells happy. Stay away from the sugary drinks that dehydrate them and spike the blood sugar levels again leading to crashes in energy. Gatorade and sugary juice drinks should be kept at a minimum or avoided at all costs!
Exercise! Most kids are getting exercise at school at recess or in their sport, but if not, make sure your child is getting a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity. It should really be more like an hour. Instead of allowing them to watch tv or play those video games, encourage them to go play outside for an hour with their neighbors and friends. This will be great for building social skills and getting the brain more active as well as the body!
Reading for fun! A great habit for kids to develop at a younger age! Kids that read for fun usually will become quicker readers in class, learn new vocabulary words, get new ideas they wouldn’t have thought of, think outside the box, and grow into adults that enjoy reading!
I hope these tips have helped! Definitely make sure they are getting enough sleep, eating breakfast, staying hydrated and staying active, which isn’t hard here in the beautiful South Bay! Happy March Study Hut family!!
The second semester can be an excellent time for a fresh start in any subject
area, however it’s also the time to build upon the knowledge learned from first
semester courses! Many subject areas, particularly the higher level subjects
such as chemistry, get more in depth during the second semester, and it becomes
imperative to recollect the knowledge you have already learned. Study Hut tutoring
offers one on one tutoring sessions that not only address the weekly assignments
and academic standards covered in a course, but also focus on reviewing key
concepts that students must practice in order to keep up with the new lessons
introduced daily! Flashcards and review quizzes are part of every tutoring session.
Flashcards are imperative in the process of helping students remember content,
and reviewing it before the big exams is an instrumental part in success. Subject
areas like Chemistry are filled with difficult vocabulary and formulas. Making
and retaining flash cards for review purposes helps students not only learn
new content but also helps them review previously learned content, that will be
needed in order to understand new material. Flash cards at Study Hut tutoring
are a daily ritual in many tutoring sessions that require the mastery of difficult
content, and the key to success in content areas such as Chemistry and Physics
where memorization of heavy academic content is a must! Review quizzes are
also a crucial tutoring strategy utilized at Study Hut tutoring to help students build
upon their foundational knowledge of an academic subject. Review quizzes are
tutor generated quizzes that draw upon newly learned content as well as past key
concepts in an intricate manner that begs the student to use their knowledge base to
connect between their acquired knowledge and newly introduced content. Review
quizzes not only provide practice with content but also help students connect the
dots in their academic study area in a profound manner that makes the entire
subject area clearer in comprehension!
Valentines Day spirit is in the air at Manhattan Beach Study Hut! We are THE place to be V-day. For one, we have the best manager ever who made us all cookies with our names on them. We also each get a list of V-day topics to talk about with our kids. We ask questions like “who is your celebrity crush?” and “what is your favorite kind of chocolate?” to keep the kids engaged and not as bummed about doing homework on a holiday. The drawer full of candy also adds to the valentines spirit. …although this is year around. For me, everyday at the Study hut is like Valentines Day because I love the people I work with and care deeply about all of the kids I tutor. Also, we have a lot of baked goods here all of the time so it adds to the mood.
Our goal is to turn studying, something that is usually somewhat painful, into something fun and exciting. All of our tutors our able to accomplish this because we all have a passion for learning and for helping others. I think that this is exemplified on a day like today where love and compassion are in the air. All of us tutors try and stay connected and get together outside of work to keep a united spirit. In a couple of weeks we are going to have a girls night, and we just got done with doing a really fun murder mystery party. Having close relationships at work is important because it allows us to work as a team when tutoring. When I’m not sure of a science question, it’s nice to feel comfortable turning to Roxy and asking her help on a question. So while the cookies and candy definitely create a great Valentines mood, it’s the love and compassion that our tutors have that really make Study hut a Valentines Day everyday.
Dont let these Manhattan Beach middle school students fool you. Please stay active with them and keep them engaged.
Go through his “edline” acct with him and talk to him about each of his grades. He could use practice quizzes and he can make them himself.
He needs to focus on his daily planner too, as do ALL of our middle schoolers, and even most of our high schoolers, and have all his tests written on the day they will be given, and have a detailed study plan written out for the days leading up to his test(s).
The study tasks should say, “Make 20 flashcards for spanish verbs” and that would be on Monday for example, even if his test isnt until friday. The next day should read, “review flashcards for 2 [20min] chunks”…. you can make him difficult practice quizzes where you will be able to see if he is not only comprehending the material, but retaining it.
You’re def going to want to make mini quizzes (they can be as small as 3-5 questions based on the material he just covered). If no practice quiz is given, there is no real way to ensure comprehension.
He can work on HW, but that shouldnt be his number 1 or even number 2 priority, unless the difficulty of the assignment is a pressing concern. He needs some management help, and probably a little conceptual help, you can evaluate the needs of all this at the beginning with an interview process. You will be able to gauge and feel more comfortable after working with him a second time…that kind of thing builds as you get to know your student.
When it comes to being a student, whether in the Manhattan Beach area or not, there are several different types. Some love to read, some are good at history, most hate math. However aside from the specific likes and dislikes particular to each individual student, the ideas encapsulated by the notion of an “effective student” have very little to do with what someone is good at or how much they like math. More importantly what it takes to become a good student has more to do with the outlook and strategy that a student takes when approaching school.
Here at the Study Hut in Manhattan Beach we get to witness this diversity in students and come to see some of the constants associated with those students who are doing well. Take for example failure, an inevitable hurtle in life which can lead to frustration and depression. However this is where the difference between students comes into play. Because although getting a bad grade is not something good, a good student can take this instance and learn from it. Whether it’s getting a better idea of personal strengths and weaknesses in order to attack the weaknesses, or using a bad grade to motivate one to get much better grades and try harder, these are all habits of highly effective students. Upon receiving a bad grade or one that is displeasing, an effective student should then go and make flashcards for 20-30 minutes for the coming chapter’s material. An effective student tries as much as they can to do reading for class before the class, a scientifically supported study strategy which cuts down on overall study time and increases retention of knowledge much longer than last minute cramming. Having a consistent and habitual study plan is a proven way to increase grades and make sure that one is reaching the potentials that everyone has within themselves.
However figuring out where to start can often be a overwhelming task, and without persistent reinforcement of that plan, even a great plan can lead to mediocre success. Luckily one of the most important tenets of the Study Hut of Manhattan Beach is the implementation and perfection of a study plan, along with holding students accountable for doing their work on time, and doing the adequate amount of practice which some skills require. Without a doubt everyone needs help sometimes, and those that don’t receive that help can often fall behind, especially in a fast paced class such as honors or AP courses. Therefore aside from the help given by our fantastic tutors on the material of a class, we strive to implement and tailor effective study habits customized to each individual student, so that every student has the chance to work at or above their potential.
